LeMaire China Adoption: April 2007

What a busy weekend! On Saturday April 21st at 11:30a.m. we had our travel meeting in Mineola, NY.

Our New Beginnings Travel Family 4-21-2007

Here is our itinerary:

May.04: Leave from Newark on Continental Airlines at 12:10p.m

May.05: Family LeMaire arrive in Beijing on Flight CO89/13:45, guide will meet the family at airport and transfer to Jianguo Garden Hotel.
Lunch. Will visit Forbidden City together in the afternoon.
Group dinner in hotel.
May06: Visit the Great Wall with lunch. Acrobatic show in the evening.
Dinner in hotel.
May.07: Visit Tian An Men Square, Summer Palace. Lunch. Beijing to Changsha on Flight HU7135(17:10-19:25), transfer to Dolton Hotel. Chinese dinner.
May.08: Go to the Civil Affairs to meet the child and sign the agreement.
Lunch /Buffet dinner. We finally get to hold Angelina!
May.09: Go to the Civil Affairs again for adoption registration, notarization and the passport. Lunch/Chinese dinner.
May.10: Go to the local department store to buy some daily necessities for their child.
Lunch/Buffet dinner.
May.11: Visit YueLu Academy. Lunch/Chinese dinner.
May.12: Visit Changning SWI and Loudi SWI separately, this is where Angelina was found. Lunch/Buffet Dinner.
(Please note it will take about 2 hours to get to Loudi SWI, and around 3 hours to Changning SWI. So it’s a long way driving, let the families be prepared for that. Will be back to Changsha on the same day.)
May.13: Visit the Embroidery Museum and the Temple of Kai Fu Si.
Lunch/Chinese dinner
May.14: Pick up passport. Lunch/Buffet dinner.
May.15: Changsha to Guangzhou on Flight CZ3391 (10:00-11:00), transfer to White Swan Hotel. Same day afternoon, medical and take photo for the child.
May.16: 09:30 visa appointment at US Consulate.
May.17: Visit the Six Banyan Temple. At 16:00 pick up the visa.
May.18: Leave Guangzhou on Flight CZ301/08:25, transfer to airport.

May.18: Arrive Newark airport 2:05p.m. Continental airlines, terminal C.

Lots to to do, shopping, packing and praying!!

This same day I also had my baby shower. My girlfriend Lisa did an awesome job putting it all together. She is an amazing, energetic and caring person! I'm so grateful for her friendship. My incredibly hardworking husband made sure things ran smoothly. He has been a rock throughout this whole adoption process. My mother in law, my brother and his family were also very helpful. I also had several wonderful little helpers while I was opening the gifts. Thank you Morgan, Madison, Shelby, Katerina, Sheila and Nicole for all your help. They are all going to be great role models for Angelina. Thank you all for an awesome shower.

I was overwhelmed by the love and support of so many people for us and for Angelina. She is soooo lucky to be surrounded by so many caring people. I can't wait for you all to meet her. Of course she will be the best dressed Little Angel in town. She received so many wonderful and generous gifts and I sincerely thank you all for that.

I've waited so long for this day and it was perfect! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU all for the love and support!!!

Great job Lisa and Bill

Thanks Nicole (orange shirt) for all your help!

My little helpers! Angelina's role models!

My turn for the hat!

I think our smiles say it all!!!

Roberta(MIL), Katherine, Christine, Aunt Chris and Grandma

The cake was yummy and beautiful

We were surprised by our wonderful friends at the Moriches Rotary Club with a baby shower on April 12, 2007. We thought we were just going for dinner. They made Bill sit in the decorated chair to open the presents. Since this was his first time Bill needed lots of help from Barbara and Debra, two of the rotary members. Although Bill had to be walked through the process he did very well. He made sure he held up the presents and announced who they were from. They even made a hat out of the bows and made Bill wear it!! It was great, lot of laughs!

Angelina got some really beautiful dresses, accessories and wonderful toys. Just look for the best dressed baby in town!!

We are so grateful to all our friends for their love, support, generosity and thoughtfulness. Angelina is so lucky to be surrounded by so many loving people. Can't wait for everyone to meet her in person. Only 3 more weeks to go!